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Unusual New Year’s Eve Traditions

To welcome in the New Year in the UK, you may decide to head to London's Southbank to watch the amazing fireworks display, enjoy a drink or two with your family and friends, or join in with a rendition of Auld Lang Syne at midnight. But do you know what other countries around the world do to celebrate the beginning of each New Year?

In this blog, we have rounded up some weird and wonderful annual traditions from places across the globe. Check them out below!

Florida's Red Shoe Drop

An unusual tradition in Florida involves a drag queen called Sushi in a large red shoe being lowered slowly in front of an excited crowd. The tradition originated in 1996 when the shoe was made out of chicken wire and paper mache. Needless to say, the shoe was deemed not sturdy enough and the entire event itself was nearly shut down by police authorities. Since then the event has gained the blessing of the mayor, the shoe has been created out of a higher quality (and sturdier) material and the annual event has become a firm favourite in the USA.

Ecuador's Doll Bonfire

Head to the city of Cuenca for the annual tradition of burning dolls on bonfires. The tradition is that people bring along a homemade doll (many resemble celebrities) and throw them on to the bonfire and watch them burn. There are strong symbolic ideas behind this in the idea that old grudges and bad habits are 'thrown away' and new ones are created.

Suriname's Cracker Party

Love firecrackers? A two kilometer string of firecrackers is laid out across the ground and lit. The end effect is lots of smoke, noise and a fantastic light display. This is known as a 'pagara' and thousands of people line the streets every year to watch the display that they believe will blast away the evil spirits.

How are you celebrating New Years? Perhaps your tradition is spending it with the ones you love, or maybe you're currently travelling and will be experiencing a brand new way of celebrating. Wherever you are, from the entire team at Alpha Travel Insurance we would like to thank you for reading our blog in 2013 and wish you all a very happy and healthy 2014.